1779.

PASTOR OF THE CHAPEL.

453

whom she associated, accompanied their exertions in carrying it forward. They are now in glory; they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.

What were Lady Glenorchy's thoughts and exercises during this period will be seen by the following extracts from her Diary.

January 3.-Last week, my mind has been almost wholly taken up with the affairs of the chapel. Thursday morning I set apart for prayer; but felt little light or liberty to plead with God; I could only groan out my complaints before him, and confess my unworthiness of being heard, and his justice, if all my plans were brought to nothing. I was oppressed and overwhelmed in spirit, and was led to believe that the Lord was doing all things well, although not according to my designs and wishes. On Friday, a letter from Mr Dickie gave me grounds of hope, if not of Mr Clayton, of another equally suitable. This rebuked me for past fears, and misgivings of mind concerning it.

This morning I was confined to the house, and had a very profitable time in pouring out my heart before God, and in confessing my sin, which I saw was done away by the blood of Jesus. Unbelief, I see, is the root of all sin; and faith is the grace which can procure all I need. I sought it with fervour, and endeavoured to exercise it. In the afternoon and evening I have had some comfortable moments.

Thursday, January 14.-This day Mr Jones arrived; and on Sunday the 17th he preached twice in the chapel. On Tuesday he preached again. On Sabbath the 24th he preached twice. On Monday

some persons came to beg I would desire him to remain, and that I would take steps to procure his settlement as their pastor. On Tuesday the 26th, he preached again to their great satisfaction. All this time my health has been very bad.

Thursday, March 18.-Since writing the above, my disorder has increased, and the Lord has seen meet to lay me on a bed of affliction. The night before I was confined to bed, (being the 29th of January), I was enabled to cast my cares upon the Lord, beseeching him to relieve me from anxiety of mind, and to order all concerning myself and chapel as seemed good in his sight. This prayer has been wonderfully answered; for, during the course of a six weeks' fever, I was never permitted to have an anxious thought, either about myself or others; and, during that time, the Lord was pleased to carry on his work in the chapel, by inclining the people's hearts so much to Mr Jones, that an invitation and a call is now given him, and I trust he will return to us in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

Sunday, April 18.-For the last fortnight my health has continued improving. Last Sabbath I went out to public worship, and also this day, but my soul was not profited. I have been very dead and comfortless in my mind for many weeks past, till last night, that I felt a growing desire after spiritual blessings; and this day have had some liberty of access in prayer, and comfort in pouring out my heart to God, under a sense of his being my God. I found the workings of faith on my heart, leading me to cast my burden upon him, and to trust him with my lot.

1779.

DIARY.

455

London, Sunday, May 30.-The Lord has been pleased to bring me to this place a fortnight ago, in health and safety. I have cause to bless him for many mercies; in particular, for strength and spirits to go through the business and fatigue that I have had since I came here; for rendering my journey prosperous, with respect to Mr Jones's ordination; and giving me the near prospect of accomplishing it to my wishes.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Lady Glenorchy goes to Taymouth-Extracts from Diary, from August 8. to September 19. 1779-Lady Glenorchy returns to EdinburghExtracts from Diary, from October 3. 1779, to April 23. 1780Lady Henrietta Hope accompanies Lady Glenorchy to England— Lady Glenorchy returns to Scotland, and goes to Taymouth to attend her father-in-law-Extracts from Diary, from May 17. to August 13. 1780-Mr Jones lays the evidence of his ordination before the Presbytery of Edinburgh-Subscribes the Confession of Faith, and Formula-All misunderstanding between Lady Glenorchy and the Presbytery happily terminated-The Rev. Thomas Fleming settled at Kenmore-Lady Glenorchy much satisfied with this eventExtracts from Diary, from September 2. to September 10. 1780Lady Glenorchy returns from Taymouth-Sets out for Bath-Extracts from Diary, October 22. to December 31. 1780-Lady Henrietta Hope takes up her residence with Lady Glenorchy-Extracts from Diary, from January 1. to April 30. 1781-Lady Glenorchy purchases and supports a chapel in Carlisle-Lady Glenorchy goes to Taymouth for the last time-Extracts from Diary, from July 22. to September 2. 1781.

IMMEDIATELY after the writer's admission to his pastoral charge, Lady Glenorchy set out for Taymouth; and by the following extracts from her Diary at this period it will appear, that her religious experience was on the whole similar to what it had formerly been.

Taymouth, Sunday, August 8.-This day I have joined in celebrating the dying love of Jesus. I hope I was enabled to exercise faith on him as the propitiation and sacrifice for sin, and to plead his broken body and shed blood as sufficient to atone for my sins, and

1779.

FOR TAYMOUTH.

457

as the procuring cause of every blessing, spiritual and temporal. I endeavoured to give myself up to Jesus as his lawful property, purchased by his blood; and begged of him to dispose of me as seemed good in his sight. I besought him to keep me back from doing any thing dishonourable to his name, and I trust he will hear and answer me in due time. Some parts of the 119th Psalm was very comfortable to me to-day. I felt with the Psalmist an earnest desire to be taught the will and commandments of God;-every verse seemed applicable to me. I believe it is in faithfulness that the Lord has afflicted me, and I have a comfortable hope that my soul shall live, and taste of his loving kindness in heaven, and enjoy his favour, which is better than life. Let him lift upon me the light of his countenance, and I am content to face a frowning world. Only shew me thy will, and give me power and grace to obey it: I ask no more, O ever blessed God!

[Aged 38.] Taymouth, September 2.-How dark and mysterious are thy ways, O Lord, to the children of men! yet we are bound to believe that all thy ways are mercy and truth to such as fear thee. The last year of my life has been deeply marked with judgment and mercy. I have in myself a witness that God is almighty in preserving my life, notwithstanding the diseases of body which I have gone through. I do not yet see the meaning of my trials, but I believe I shall yet praise God for them, and be made to acknowledge, that in faithfulness, and loving kindness, and in tender mercy, he has afflicted me. My only comfort is in committing my way to the Lord, and trusting in him, that he will do with me whatever is for his glory